Michael Hopkins
Edinburgh,Midlothian
Summary
Dynamic professional with a strong foundation in public speaking confidence and salesmanship prowess. Demonstrates exceptional resilience and stress tolerance, coupled with strategic planning and problem-solving skills. Adept at anticipating customer needs and multitasking, ensuring seamless operations in fast-paced environments. Proficient in proofreading accuracy and resourcefulness, with a keen aptitude for operating espresso machines. Committed to leveraging these skills towards achieving excellence in customer service and operational efficiency.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
SPARK Scheme
Clifford Chance
London
2022.07 - 2022.07
- Attended lectures held by the firm to gain commercial awareness and insight into various areas of the firms work.
- Accompanied senior lawyers to meetings with clients providing essential note-taking assistance.
- Proofread legal documents before submission to courts reducing errors and potential delays.
- Utilised negotiation skills whilst liaising between opposing counsels resulting in agreeable settlements.
Cocktail Bartender/Barista
Intercontinental Hotel Group - Kimpton Hotel
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh
2025.06 - Current
- Managed opening and closing duties including restocking the bar and preparing garnishes for next shift, ensuring smooth transitions between shifts.
- Checked identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol, promoting responsible drinking habits.
- Maintained cleanliness of bar area, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere.
- Delivered efficient service during peak hours, maintaining high standards of quality.
- Addressed any customer complaints or issues promptly, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Assisted in inventory control measures for effective stock management.
- Hosted whisky masterclasses for hotel guests, showcasing my extensive knowledge and understanding.
Seasonal Cocktail Bartender
Contini
Edinburgh
2024.06 - 2024.09
- Working as a cocktail bartender working in a luxury venue, an understanding of whiskey, mixology and customer service has been crucial in my role. Always working in a team-based environment with a focus on providing the best service for customers possible. I have also developed waiting experience at times needing to serve food in addition to drinks. Cannoball bar and restaurant has an exceptionally busy August with the military tattoo being on its doorstep, time-management and efficient preparation was essential throughout my time here.
Cocktail Bartender and Supervisor
Boom Battle Bar
Edinburgh
2023.06 - 2024.09
- I worked as a part-time bartender at the Boom Battle Bar in Edinburgh. This bar offers an extensive cocktail menu, of which I had competently learnt and developed mixology skills from. This provided excellent work experience in a fast-paced, high-volume bar serving hundreds of drinks each shift. I was given the responsibility of managing the stock deliveries, maintaining the cellar and overall stockroom.
Education
Highers -
Knightswood Secondary School
Glasgow, Glasgow City 2019.09 - 2021.05
Bachelor of Laws - Law and Politics
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh 2021.09 - 2025.05
Master of Science - International Business Management
Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh 2025.09 -
Skills
- Public speaking confidence
- Resilience and stress tolerance
- Proofreading accuracy
- Salesmanship prowess
- Problem-solving
- Strategic planning
- Resourcefulness
- Customer needs anticipation
- Multitasking aptitude
- Espresso machine operating
Certification
- Head of a stakeholder delegation to the United Nations 19th Forum on Forests.
- Boxing Scotland Level One Coaching 2024/2027 I have completed an official Boxing Scotland coaching course, and I am now a level one qualified Boxing coach, until June 2027.
- ELSA Skills Workshops I have completed two ELSA Skills workshops, ran by experts, aimed at developing particular skills. I attended the negotiation and communications workshops.
- Forage Clifford Chance Global Virtual Internships I have completed the internships on: Cyber Security; Climate Change; and Business and Human Rights.
Extracurricular Roles
Edinburgh University Boxing President March 2024 – September 2025
I served as the President of my Universities boxing club and found myself growing confidently as a leader and team player. My organisational skills have been tested on numerous occasions and my ability to find compromise has grown substantially. This is a leadership position which I hold in great regard, as over the past three years I have fallen in love with my club and now to control its direction and help nurture it, I could only describe as a blessing.
National Professional Development Officer August 2024 - Present - European Law Students Association United Kingdom
I am now working on the national board for a student run charity organisation abbreviated as ELSA. I have served in ELSA for a year. My work primarily involves planning and executing events to grow individuals professionally, representing the UK internationally at International Council Meetings, running a national group of officers and administrating our organisations traineeship applications within the UK.
Timeline
Master of Science - International Business Management
Heriot Watt University
2025.09 -
Cocktail Bartender/Barista
Intercontinental Hotel Group - Kimpton Hotel
2025.06 - Current
Seasonal Cocktail Bartender
Contini
2024.06 - 2024.09
Cocktail Bartender and Supervisor
Boom Battle Bar
2023.06 - 2024.09
SPARK Scheme
Clifford Chance
2022.07 - 2022.07
Bachelor of Laws - Law and Politics
University of Edinburgh
2021.09 - 2025.05
Highers -
Knightswood Secondary School
2019.09 - 2021.05